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Regular article (research, practice, case report)

2025

Validation of the Inventory of Climate Emotions (ICE) in a German sample

DOI
https://doi.org/10.69805/epo.v29.a36
Submitted
26 June 2025
Published
2025-12-10

Abstract

The confrontation with the consequences of the climate crisis can elicit strong emotions. These so-called climate emotions are important drivers behind pro-environmental behavior. However, they have also been associated with impaired mental health. In the light of the huge challenges we face, understanding the complex mechanisms behind emotions, behavior and mental health is crucial. The Inventory of Climate Emotions (ICE) presents the first validated scale to assess a multitude of different emotional responses (anger, contempt, enthusiasm, powerlessness, guilt, isolation, anxiety and sorrow) to the climate crisis. In this study, we translated and validated the ICE in a representative German sample (N = 966). We replicated the 8-factor structure and all subscales showed acceptable to good internal consistency. Furthermore, we replicated a positive association between multiple climate emotions (powerlessness, guilt, isolation, anxiety, sorrow) and general depressive and anxiety symptoms. Climate emotions were generally positively associated with pro-environmental behavior, the only exception being climate contempt, which was negatively associated with pro-environmental behavior. In conclusion, we present a validated German translation of the ICE and provide evidence for a negative association of specific climate emotions and mental health as well as a positive association of specific climate emotions and pro-environmental behavior.